Alex, 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, lays next to his handler prior to a training helicopter ride with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater, Florida, June 30, 2014. This type of training conditions a dog to the loud noise and high altitude prior to a deployment, which reassures the handler that they can depend on their partner to perform under hectic circumstances. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman)

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Handlers from the 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog section and their dogs receive a brief from the Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk pilots prior to a training helicopter ride with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater, Florida, June 30, 2014. This was the first time the MWD section and the Coast Guard have conducted this type of training, and will not be the last. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman)

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Handlers from the 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog section and their dogs walk toward the Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk during a training session with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater, Florida, June 30, 2014. This training allowed the handlers to evaluate their four-legged partners’ reactions when exposed to the loud noise along with the high altitude. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman)

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Jimmy, 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, sits with his handler during a helicopter ride with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater, Florida, June 30, 2014. Exposing a dog to the noise and high altitude uses successive approximation to acclimate the dog, which is crucial when deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman)

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Staff Sgt. Winston Campbell, 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and MWD Lleonard advance toward the Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk during a training session with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater, Florida, June 30, 2014. Exposing a dog to the noise and high altitude uses successive approximation to acclimate the dog, which is crucial when deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman)

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Senior Airman Tyler Sexton, 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, MWD Alex, Staff Sgt. Alex Lazala, 6th SFS MWD handler, and MWD Jimmy advance toward the Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk during a training session with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater, Florida, June 30, 2014. This training allowed the handlers to evaluate their four-legged partners’ reactions when exposed to the loud noise and high altitude. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman)

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Staff Sgt. Winston Campbell, 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, comforts MWD Lleonard during a training helicopter ride with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater, Florida, June 30, 2014. This was Lleonard’s first time being exposed to the noise of a helicopter along with the high altitude. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman)

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Staff Sgt Josh Burnett, 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and MWD Jecky vacate the Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk during a training session with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater, Florida, June 30, 2014. This was Jecky’s first time being exposed to the loud noise of helicopter along with the high altitude. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman)

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K-9 airpower

Published July 8, 2014
By Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman
6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The 6th Security Forces Squadron military working dog section teamed up with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater, Fla., to familiarize four MWD's with being in the presence of and flying in a helicopter, June 30, 2014.

This experience allowed the handlers to evaluate their four-legged partners' reactions when riding in, as well as, jumping in and out of a helicopter.

Conditioning a dog prior to a deployment is crucial. This reassures a handler that it can depend on their partner to perform under hectic circumstances.

"The sound of the chopper is extremely loud, and when this is added to the sensitive hearing of a dog along with the high altitudes, a dog could respond negatively," said Senior Airman Tyler Sexton, 6th SFS MWD handler. "By exposing a dog to this, we are using successive approximation to get the dog acclimated to the noise and high altitudes. Having a calm dog in combat makes the mission easier and safer."

Of the four MWD teams in attendance to the training session, two had never been around helicopters.

Sexton, coordinator of the training, stated that this was the first time the 6th SFS MWD section has ever conducted training with the Coast guardsmen, but will not be the last.

Due to the positive feedback, they have scheduled future training to expose the remaining seven dogs to the loud noise and high altitude training.

The MWD section at MacDill Air Force Base is notorious for conducting training with various agencies, from local police departments to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"Looking outside of the box when it comes to training is not only fun but also a good learning experience for both agencies," expressed Sexton. "The more we share tactics and training, the better we will all be."